MyFootShop.com - Your source for healthy feet!

Order toll free 1-888-859-8901  Monday-Friday 9am until 5pm EST 
 

Products
Conditions

Get email discounts and SAVE!

Your Shopping Cart

* $ale Items *

View all Products

Knowledge Base

Blog

Customer Service

Volume Discounts


Ganglionic Cyst

Details:

ganglionic_cystGanglionic cysts are fluid filled cysts that are common on the lateral aspect of the ankle and on the top of the foot. The origin of ganglionic cysts is not clear. Most clinicians and surgeons believe that ganglionic cysts are derived from weakened areas of tendon sheath. The weakening in the tendon sheath allows for herniation of the fluid within the tendon out into the defect. This herniation is much like what happens when you squeeze a water balloon. The result is a bubble of fluid enclosed in a defective portion of the balloon (tendon sheath). This bubble of fluid is what we call a ganglionic cyst.

Ganglionic cysts are also known as Bible cysts or Gideon's cysts. These names are derived from the historical practice of treating the cyst by rupturing it with a heavy book. Ganglionic cysts are also sometimes called synovial cysts. Ganglionic cysts and synovial cysts are very similar in there presentation and appearance, but differ in their origin. Ganglionic cysts are derived from tendon sheath while synovial cysts are derived from the lining of a joint (synovium).

Treatment of Ganglionic Cysts

If asymptomatic, many patients choose to ignore a ganglionic cyst. If the ganglionic cyst becomes painful, doctors may choose to aspirate the cyst. Following drainage of the cyst, a crystalline steroid can be infused into the cyst. Steroid is used in an attempt to scar the pedicle of the cyst to destroy the communication between the ganglionic cyst and the tendon. Aspiration of ganglionic cysts with instillation of steroid is a common practice but only successful in about 50% of cases.

Surgical excision of a ganglionic cyst does have a higher success rate (85-90%) but does carry with it the cost and potential complications associated with any surgery. The following steps show the excision of a ganglionic cyst on the lateral aspect of the foot. This cysts was excised due to the patient's inability to fit into an enclosed shoe. Depending upon the size and location of the cyst, most patients can walk on the foot the same day. This procedure can be completed in approximately 45 minutes and is performed with either a general anesthetic or local anesthetic with sedation. Recovery time and return to activities depends upon the success of the surgery and the extent of the dissection needed to excise the cyst.

Ganglionic_cyst_surgery_image1 Ganglionic_cyst_surgery_image2 Ganglionic_cyst_surgery_image3 Ganglionic_cyst_surgery_image4 Ganglionic_cyst_surgery_image5

Nomenclature:

Synovium - Every joint is surrounded by a structure called the joint capsule.  The inner lining of the capsule is a tissue called synovium.  Synovium produces joint fluid that lubricates the joint.


Anatomy:

No additional information is available for this topic.


Biomechanics:

No additional information is available for this topic.


Symptoms:

Many ganglionic cysts are asymptomatic.  In cases where ganglionic cysts do cause pain, we usually find a nerve directly affected by the pressure of the cyst pushing against the nerve.  In some cases, pain may be due to the inability to fit the cyst into an enclosed shoe.

Ganglionic cysts can vary in their onset and size.  Many ganglionic cysts will grow and shrink in size based upon the volume of fluid within the cyst and the transfer of that fluid between the cyst and tendon sheath.

Differential Diagnosis:

No additional information is available for this topic.


Products Recommended for Ganglionic Cyst:

See Also:

References:

This article was written by Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM and was last edited on 4/22/08.


Was this information helpful?

Yes    No      

We appreciate your comments and feedback. After clicking submit, you may also send us your comments.
If you have questions regarding treatment or products used for this condition, please join us in The Foot Talk Forum.

Don't see the answer to your question? Try one of these resources:

 

 

Medical Communication Guidelines:

The internet represents a wonderful opportunity to communicate and share information. It's important to all of us at Myfootshop.com that we communicate in a way that is most effective for the users of our site. Myfootshop.com follows the online communication guidelines established by Medem, Inc. If you have questions regarding your foot problem, please join us in The Foot Talk Forum where we can share questions and answers with others.  Any clinical questions you may submit to us by email will be referred to The Forum.

At the conclusion of this article you'll find a number of products that are recommended by Myfootshop.com to treat this condition. These products have been hand picked by the medical consulting staff at Myfootshop.com for their effectiveness and reliability. Should you have any questions regarding the selection or use of these products please don't hesitate to contact us at mailto:sales@myfootshop.com or join us in the product support topic of The Foot Talk Forum.

The information on this page does not constitute the practice of medicine and is offered as an educational aid.  Should you have a medical problem, Myfootshop.com and their representatives recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional.

Related Keywords and Search Terms:

 ganglionic cyst,ganglion,synovial cyst,cyst foot,foot tumor,gideon's cyst,fluid filled cyst,ganglion,foot ganglion

 

   

Free Priority Mail Shipping on orders over $75!

BBBOnLine Reliability Seal


We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

 
*Popular Item*


 

 



Order on-line, anytime.. or call us toll free at
1-888-859-8901
Monday-Friday 9am until 5pm EST
  
Home  |  Corporate Info  |  Contact Us  |   Discussion Forum  |  On-Line Communication Policies  |  Kudos
 
BBBOnLine Reliability Seal 1-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee!
 
Copyright © 1999-  MyFootShop.com. All rights reserved.  Last Updated: 11/20/2009

Site Map  l  Press Releases     Website by SiteSee'er